A mix of ZoomX, Zoom Air, and ReactX delivers a bouncy, lively ride with a quick rebound rather than plush softness. The high stack height offers plenty of cushioning but can feel unstable, especially on tight turns or for overpronators.
Cody: The midsole on the Nike Pegasus Premium is like a science experiment gone right (well, mostly). With a mix of Air Zoom, ZoomX and ReactX, it delivers a unique and lively ride that feels like running on a well-cushioned trampoline–bouncy, smooth, and just plain fun. It’s a comfy cruiser that makes easy miles feel effortless, but I will say, take those tight turns with caution unless you enjoy a little side adventure.
Blake: The midsole of the Nike Pegasus Premium is packed with technology. It features a top layer of ZoomX foam, sitting above a full-length Air Zoom unit. For the first time, this unit is sculpted to dip down, mimicking the shape of the carbon plate in the Vaporfly. In the heel, a wedge of ReactX foam adds extra stability and durability. With a stack height of 45mm in the heel and 35mm in the forefoot, the shoe has a 10mm drop and delivers a well-cushioned feel underfoot. The ride is unique, thanks to the sculpted Air Zoom unit, which provides a smoother heel-to-toe transition compared to shoes with separate Zoom units in the heel and forefoot. Initially, the shoe felt a bit stiff, but after a few runs, it started to break in. The Zoom unit delivers a responsive ride, which aligns with the Pegasus lineup’s reputation for energy return. However, don’t expect a plush, marshmallow-like softness—you don’t sink into it. Instead, the Zoom unit compresses and quickly rebounds, giving a lively bounce. There’s no doubt this midsole is packed with premium cushioning tech, but I didn’t find the shoe to be the most versatile. I enjoyed it as a daily cruiser and for recovery runs, but its weight made it less ideal for long runs and speedwork.
Eric: This midsole is crazy. Zoom X top layer, Zoom air middle, and React X on the bottom. The shoe doesn't quite look like a 40+mm stack but that's exactly what it is. The midsole is stiff out of the box but within a few miles it really livens up from a bounce standpoint. This isn't so much a smooth ride but rather a very bouncy (not snappy!) ride similar to the sensation of the Alphafly honestly. While clearly not AS fast and responsive of the Alphafly that bouncing off the ground feeling will be somewhat familiar to fans of the Nike Running. The shoe is a little unstable because of that stack so if you are an overpronator I may stay away.
